The best of Tex-Mex Cuisine: Cara's Shiner Carnitas

Being a resident of south central Texas, one simply cannot proceed through everyday life without immersing oneself in the rich, Tex-Mex culture. Often I find many local eateries featuring the unpretentious and delicious genre to miss the target. Texas is rustic, yet bold. Mexico is colorful and spicy. I kept those phrases in mind when I developed my latest recipe, using a classic Mexican dish, with some Texas flare. It also gave me the opportunity to showcase the secret ingredient in this recipe, which is dear to any red-blooded Texan heart, Shiner Bock beer!

Rinse thawed pork under cold water and pat dry. Place sliced onions and minced garlic on bottom of slow cooker dish. Place meat on top of onion layer. Dust top of meat with all of the spices. Pour Shiner Bock over the meat and spices. Add liquid smoke down the inner edge of the slow cooker dish, so that it settles to the bottom and mixes with the beer. Set the slow cooker on low and allow to cook for 8-10 hours. When meat is done cooking, remove from slow cooker with tongs (the meat will be fall-apart-tender, so be careful for splashes). Shred the meat with a fork and serve in a variety of dishes.

This meat is excellet in pulled pork sandwiches. Simply toss the carnitas in warmed BBQ sauce and serve in between burger buns. You can also make tacos using the carnitas with fresh tomato and cilantro. Use it as a hearty filling for enchiladas or even savory empanadas. This melt in your mouth pork has endless possibilities!

Enjoy some one of the best fusions of Texas and Mexico on a plate, and save a few sips of that delicious Shiner Bock for yourself. Maybe even reward yourself with your own bottle of this passionately crafted, Texas beer.

Hello Cara , got your link threw twitter I love your blog and very interesting recipes,my mom was from Corpus Christi I will be back I am Chefernesto form Chicago,visit me at chefernesto.com / erncancook.com and healthydietcookbooks.com Thanks so muchErnesto`